Thought I'd post my experience replacing the front to rear AWS tie rod on my 2012 X749 that I got about a year+ ago. Sometime last year discovered that the front end of the tie rod was popping loose from the ball that is on the pivot arm that transmits wheel position information to the rear wheels. I've kept it going by using cable ties to hold it up and try to keep it in place, but I'd already gotten a new one. When it came off / loose twice in one day last week, figured it was time as Spring is sorta here in far Northern WI; temps today are mid to upper 30's with rain, but it was nicer a few days ago (50's to 60's).
I was gambling and had just removed the snow blower. It is also necessary to have the front PTO shaft off as well as any mower deck to conduct these repairs.
I haven't sprung for the (quite expensive) service manual as yet (now $236 for all formats), and not sure if it hadn't already gone up when I bought the used X749 so I was winging it, but the process seemed to go OK.
The part runs ~$58 from Green Farm Parts (less GTT discount), JD Tie Rod Assembly AM138619.
Looking at the assembly there didn't appear to be a way to remove the part directly, as the large (24 mm?) locknut that needs to be removed from the bolt that holds the ball onto the pivot assembly doesn't have sufficient clearance from the cross braces and front hydraulic hoses to remove it in place. I ended up removing the pivot assembly itself. Also needed to remove the front linkage tie rod that goes to the left front wheel. Made a point of measuring the tie rod length before going further (it was at 23.0"). I had initially considered just trying to reuse the old rear end of the tie rod but the nut holding it in place wouldn't cooperate, so ended up removing the entire tie rod assembly.
The pivot assembly uses 4 large bolts that were on pretty tight, so I got to test out a HF air impact wrench that worked well for removing the bolts. Was able to get a wrench on the pivot assembly nuts from the inside of the frame. With the 4 bolts removed and front wheel tie rod disconnected, it was possible to lower the pivot assembly and tie rods and then remove the rear of the original (broken) tie rod. Also used the impact wrench to loosen the large nut on the rear of the tie rod.
Installed the new tie rod onto the pivot assembly, insuring its length was the same as the original one, then bolted the rear end to the rear steering linkage. Remounted the pivot assembly; Decided against using the impact wrench and went with just tightening the bolts manually (but as much as I could manage).
The final connection was to reconnect the front tie rod to the bracket that is connected to the left front wheel.
I was gambling and had just removed the snow blower. It is also necessary to have the front PTO shaft off as well as any mower deck to conduct these repairs.
I haven't sprung for the (quite expensive) service manual as yet (now $236 for all formats), and not sure if it hadn't already gone up when I bought the used X749 so I was winging it, but the process seemed to go OK.
The part runs ~$58 from Green Farm Parts (less GTT discount), JD Tie Rod Assembly AM138619.
Looking at the assembly there didn't appear to be a way to remove the part directly, as the large (24 mm?) locknut that needs to be removed from the bolt that holds the ball onto the pivot assembly doesn't have sufficient clearance from the cross braces and front hydraulic hoses to remove it in place. I ended up removing the pivot assembly itself. Also needed to remove the front linkage tie rod that goes to the left front wheel. Made a point of measuring the tie rod length before going further (it was at 23.0"). I had initially considered just trying to reuse the old rear end of the tie rod but the nut holding it in place wouldn't cooperate, so ended up removing the entire tie rod assembly.
The pivot assembly uses 4 large bolts that were on pretty tight, so I got to test out a HF air impact wrench that worked well for removing the bolts. Was able to get a wrench on the pivot assembly nuts from the inside of the frame. With the 4 bolts removed and front wheel tie rod disconnected, it was possible to lower the pivot assembly and tie rods and then remove the rear of the original (broken) tie rod. Also used the impact wrench to loosen the large nut on the rear of the tie rod.
Installed the new tie rod onto the pivot assembly, insuring its length was the same as the original one, then bolted the rear end to the rear steering linkage. Remounted the pivot assembly; Decided against using the impact wrench and went with just tightening the bolts manually (but as much as I could manage).
The final connection was to reconnect the front tie rod to the bracket that is connected to the left front wheel.